Automatic winding machine



l5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FRANK R. PIPER JAMES M. GARDNER ATTORNEYS June 29, 1954 F. R, PIPER Er AL AUTOMATIC WINDING MACHINE:

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AUTOMATIC WINDING MACHINE l5 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 29, 1951 ATTORNEYS June 29, 1954 F. R. PIPER Er AL 2,682,379

AUTOMATIC WINDING MACHINE Filed March 29, 1951 l5 Sheets-Sheet 8` INVENTOR FRANK R, PI PEF?.

JAMES M: GARDN ER BY @wf Qu/wd ATTORNEY June 29, 1954 F. R. PIPER Er AL AUTOMATIC WINDING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed March 29, 1951 JAMES M.GARDNER BY Mme, www

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AUTOMATIC WINDING MACHINE File March 29. 1951 15 Sheets-Sheet 14 F. R. PIPER r AL 2,682,379

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ma) m www# H h@ W dmllw 'u me. @C Q mxmm www @www im mmm 5m www tmmwm ug @E 9 Patented June 29, 1954 AUTOMATIC WINDING MACHINE 1 Frank R. Piper and .lames M0 Gardner, Fairfax, Ala., assignors to West Point Manufacturing Company, West Point, Ga., a corporation of Alabama Application March 29, 1951, Serial No. 218,141

14 Claims. l

This invention relates to winding methods and apparatus.

The invention relates to automatic handling means which operate in conjunction with winding machines of the type which receive a continuous web of material and wind it upon mandrels. As an example, the material may be cloth toweling which is fed to the winding machine from a series of drying rolls which constitute the nishing process in the manufacture of cloth.

In more detail, the invention is concerned with automatic mechanisms for shifting, cutting, dof* ng, and lowering oi an empty mandrel into the path of travel of the severed web of material to receive the free end. These steps comprise a completely automatic operation whereby the web of material which is continuously being fed from other machines may be received and wound upon mandrels in a fashion so that no stoppage of the machine is required and therefore there is no opportunity for the free end of the cloth to fall to the oor and become soiled or wrinkled.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic shifting device whereby a partially lled mandrel may be shifted into engagement with an automatic olofng mechanism and the mandrel may remain in contact therewith until the roll is of such proportions that a cutting mechanism and a doiling mechanism are actuated and the roll is discharged onto a conveyor which displaces the roll to a distant station for further handling.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means by which an empty mandrel may be moved into engagement with the continual web of cloth which is being fed to a nlled mandrel in the doing mechanism.

Still a further object provides a seam detecting mechanism which provides a means by which the continual web may be cut at a seam and the free end of the web wrapped around an empty mandrel.

Further objects and the entire scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description set forth below and from the appended claims.

It will be understood that the following detailed description is given only for purposes of illustration and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The invention may be more readily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the com'- eil plete apparatus and its associated automatic mechanisms.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view with associated mechanisms.

Figure 3 is a side elevational View taken from the Opposite side of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a front elevational view.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 5*-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along line E- of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line i-'l of Figure 6 and illustrates a partially filled mandrel prior to its being transferred to the doinng mechanism.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure l and illustrates the transfer mechanism in its actuated position and partially nlled mandrel transferred to the dofng mechanism.

Figure 9 is a sectional view similar to Figures 7 and S and illustrates the doiiing mechanism in a raised or open position just prior to its actuation and a new mandrel as being lowered and receiving the free end of the continuous web as the cutting mechanism is actuated.

Figure l0 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along line lll- I (i of Figure 1 and illustrates the seam detecting mechanism and its associated components.

Figure 1l is a vertical sectional view taken along line lI-ll of Figure 10.

Figure l2 is a vertical sectional View taken along line l2-l2 of Figure 10 and illustrates the driving means for the seam detecting mechanism and the winding machine.

Figure 13 is a top plan view of Figure l2 with parts broken away.

Figs. 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D show an electrical diagram for the winding machine and its associated mechanisms.

For clarity of illustration, reference is made throughout the following description to cloth winding, but it will be understood that other materia-ls such as paper may be wound equally Well.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly Figure l the invention comprises a cloth-winding machine, generally designated at 2Q, the function of which is to receive a continuous web of cloth W which is delivered from various machines where it is previously treated and iinished. The purpose of the winding machine is to provide a means whereby the cloth may be wound upon mandrels which are capable of receiving a large amount oi cloth. At the time that a mandrel has received the desired amount of cloth, the cloth is cut and the free end wound around an empty mandrel in a continuous operation and the Afilled mandrel is discharged onto a conveyor mechanism for further handling.

The shifting mechanism generally designated at 22, comprises a pair of pivotally connected and downwardly extending arms the function of which is to transfer a partially filled mandrel to a doing mechanism generally designated as 24. The function of dong mechanism 24 is to discharge a fully wound mandrel to a conveyor mechanism, generally designated at 26. Prior to the dofng of the fully wound mandrel, an empty mandrel is automatically placed into engagement with the continuous web of cloth which is at this time being wound upon the mandrel within the dofling mechanism. The means for introducing an empty mandrel is provided by an inclined rack and release mechanism, generally designated at 28. Simultaneous with the lowering of an empty mandrel into contact with the cloth an automatic timing mechanism generally designated at 3U, is actuated and provides a means by which the next seam which appears in the webbing is detected and actuates the timing mechanism to allow the cloth 'to continue its travel until it has reached a cutting mechanism at which time the cloth is split at the seam and its free end wound around the empty mandrel. The mandrels may be coated with an adhesive material such as Scotch tape or the like, to assure the gripping of the free end of the cloth when it is cut.

Referring now more particularly to the winding machine, generally designated at 20, the basic framework of this device is of the type quite fully described in Simpson Patent No. 542,034. In winder 26 a pair of drums 32 and 32 are suitably journalled in bearing blocks 34 (Figure 1) and are xedly secured to the framework 36. This arrangement constitutes a structure by which a mandrel 38 may be rotated. The driving means for the drums 32 and 32 is provided by suitable sprockets 39 and 40 and chains 4| (Figure 2) operating at the outer ends of shafts which form an integral part of the drums 32 and 32'. Drums 32 and 32 may be rotatably driven by means of belt 42 and pulley 43, the latter being attaached to the shaft of drum 32. As power is applied to belt 42 from any suitable source drums 32 and 32 will be both rotated in a clockwise direction-as viewed in Figure 1. Accordingly, and as fully discussed in the abovementioned Simpson patent, if a mandrel 38 rests upon the surface of drum 32 and the mandrel is rotatably held in suitable guides the cloth W will be caused to wind upon the mandrel 38. As the volume of cloth W increases on mandrel 38 the means holding the shaft of the mandrel will move upwardly in the just-mentioned guides until a predetermined diameter is attained. Referring now particularly to Figure 8 suitable guide supports for the mandrels are provided by a pair of split jaws 44 and 46, adapted to secure both of the ends of the mandrel shafts. An air` nozzle 45 (Figure 9) is positioned adjacent the lowermost position of jaw 46, and access of compressed air thereto is controlled by a solenoid valve 45 (Figure 14C), for a purpose presently apparent.

The mandrels will usually have a wood body with metal end caps provided with bearings in which the mandrel shaft may rotate. Accordingly, jaws 44 and 46 need not provide for rotation of the shaft ends. Jaws 44 and 46 are slidably mounted for vertical movement in channels in a pair of upright standards 48 which form the above mentioned guides. A spring 5D secured to the upper portion of the jaw 44 and to the lower portion of the jaw 46 provides a tensioning means by which the jaws are held together while in lowered positions. Downwardly extending squared shafts 52 (Figure 5) provide a guide means for the lower jaws 46, said shafts passing through a pair of blocks 54 which are welded or otherwise secured to the standards 48. A second pair of blocks 56 secured to the squared shafts 52 limit the upward movement of the lowered jaws 46, as seen best in Figure 8. A connecting beam 58 extends transversely ofA the machine and is welded to the upper jaws 44. A piston rod 60 of air cylinder 62 is secured medially of the upper jaws 54 to the beam 58, as seen best in Figure 4. It will be apparent from the foregoing, that as the jaws are moved to a fully raised position, as shown in Figure 8, to receive a mandrel, the blocks 54 and 56 provide a means by which the jaws are held in an open position against the tension of the spring 56 as the piston of the air cylinder 62 is held upwardly in a retracted position. As the jaws 46 receive the mandrel, the now of air in the air cylinder 62 is reversed (by means to be described below) thus extending the piston rod downwardly and lowering the jaws 44 into engagement with the jaws 46. Piston rod 66 then continues its downward movement until the mandrel is in engagement with the web of material on rotating drum 32. Referring primarily to Figures 5 and 7-9, the winding machine is provided with a cutting blade 64, said blade extending transversely of the machine and being mounted for vertical movement on a transverse blade guide 66. The raising and lowering of the blade is achieved by means of an air cylinder 65 and piston rod 61,

Assume now that a mandrel is in place and has received the free end of a continuous cloth W, which has been secured thereto. The mandrel will now be considered to be in a rst winding position or winding station. As shown primarily in the previously discussed figures, the rotation of the drum 32 in frictional engagement with the mandrel and cloth will cause the counterclockwise rotation of the mandrel 38 and the cloth W, as seen in Figure 5. A still larger view will be observed in Figure 7 which shows the increased diameter of the partially filled mandrel as it continues its vertical travel by means of the jaws 44 and 46. Vertical travel is permitted by relaxation of pressure in air cylinder 62. The roll continues to build up and increase in diameter until it reaches the proportions shown in the chain line 41 in Figure 8 at which time the transfer mechanism generally indicated at 22 is actuated. The purpose of this mechanism is to provide a means by which the roll of cloth may be transferred to the chain line position 49, as shown in Figure 8. The above mentioned transfer mechanism generally indicated at 22, will be hereinafter more fully described. Depending on the relative location of the 'two drums, the roll while at the rst winding station may remain on drum 32, or may transfer its weight to drum 32.

Referring primarily to Figures 6 and 8, a pair of bearing brackets 68 welded to the standards 48 provide a bearing means for a transverse shaft 10, which is rotatably journalled therein. A pair of downwardly extending transfer arms 12 are spaced inwardly of the bearing brackets 68 and are fastened for rotation with the transverse shaft and constitute a means by which the partially lled mandrel may be transferred from the chain line 41 to the chain line position 49, as viewed in Figure 8, through the engagement of they lower portion of the transfer arms 12 with the shaft of the mandrel. Actuating means for the transfer mechanism are provided by an upwardly and rearwardly extending link 14, suitably fastened at one end to the transverse shaft 1|) and secured at its other end to a piston rod 16 of an air cylinder 18 which is pivotally secured to a standard 19. As will be described in more detail below, the actuation of the air cylinder is provided by a limit switch L2, the contact arm of which lies within the Vertical plane of travel of the beam y58 (Figure 3) and at the time that the diametrical proportions shown in dotted line in Figure 8 are achieved, the limit switch L2 is closed to introduce air to the cylinder 18 causing the piston rod to retract and rotate the transverse shaft 10, causing the arcuate movement of the transfer arms 12 from the position shown in Figure 5 to the position shown in Figure 8. The force of the arms 12 on the mandrel shaft will cause the jaws 44 and 46, which are resiliently urged together, to yield and permit the shaft to escape. The mandrel and the roll thereon are then received by the doffing mechanism to be described below. As will -be more fully explained below, actuation of switch L2 also causes upward actuation of piston rod 68 of air cylinder 52, thus causing lower jaws 46 to move to their uppermost position as viewed in Figure 8. Still a further function of the transfer mechanism is to release and lower a new mandrel from the rack assembly, generally designated at 28, into engagement with the lower jaws 46 of the Winder mechanism. The details of the abovementioned rack and its release assembly are now more fully set forth. Referring primarily to Figure 6, at both ends of and journalled to the outer ends of the transverse shaft 18, a downwardly extending link 80 is pivotally connected to a rocker assembly 82 by means of a link 84 pivotally connected at the lower ends of the link 80 and rocker assembly 82. The rocker assembly 82 is rotatably mounted in bearing brackets 86 welded or otherwise secured to the standards 48 and comprises a pair of forwardly and downf wardly extending links 88 and 88 disposed on either side of inclined channel members 90. The links 88 and 88 are secured at their lower portion by means of bolts 82. The upper portion of links 88 are rotatably journalled to stub shafts 94 rotatably mounted in the bearing brackets 86. The upper portions of the links 88 are provided with a crescent-shaped or semi-open strap 96 adapted to receive reduced shoulder portions of the mandrels 38 which are maintained in a stacked relation, as shown in Figure 1, within the channel members 90.

Referring now to Figures '1 and 8, as the air cylinder 18 is actuated by limit switch L2 and moves the transfer arms 12 to the position shown in Figure 8, it will be seen that the discharge or the release mechanism for the stacked mandrels is simultaneously actuated through the linkage 80, 82 and 84, and rotates the links 88 and 88 about the stub shaft 94. Thus the lowermost mandrel 38 (Figure '7) is released and travels downwardly in the channel members 9|] into engagement with an offset portion 12 of the transfer arms 12. However, the leading end of strap 96 blocks the next higher mandrel from dropping 6 along the channel members 88. The mandrel is held in this position until the transfer arms again return to the position as shown in Figure 7, at which time, the mandrel continues its downward travel into engagement with the lower jaws 46.

The jaws 44 and 46 remain in the raised position until the now transferred mandrel is ready to be doffed.

Let it now be assumed that the transferred and partially lled mandrel, which is at this` time retained within the doiing mechanism, has reached adequate diametrical proportions and is to be discharged onto the conveyor mechanism. A limit switch L|5 has a circuit now enabled by reason of a limit switch L8 responsive to a roll of predetermined size at the dof'ling or second winding position. Switch LIE is momentarily closed by the next seam or sluffed filling which in turn simultaneously actuates the timing mechanism Sii. The seam then continues its downward travel into the vertical plane of travel of the cutting mechanism. At the same time the empty mandrel 38 is released and lowered onto the moving material and a light downward pressure is maintained to preclude slippage. At the time the seam arrives at the blade 84 the timing mechanism 30 will have operated and the moving web of cloth is cut and the free end raised around the empty mandrel by a blast of air from a nozzle located beneath the cloth. and indicated at 45. As the cutting blade is retracted, the dofng mechanism is actuated and releases the filled mandrel onto the conveyor. The actuation of the doffing mechanism starts the conveyor motor and carries the roll of material away from the Winder a distance sufficient to bring a new surface of empty conveyor into position to receive the next roll of material doffed from the Winder.

The above-mentioned timing mechanism generally indicated at 38, whose function is to initiate action of the previously described mechanisms, will now be hereinafter more fully described. Referring now more specifically to Figures 10, ll, 12, and 13, the continuous web of cloth W is fed downwardly through an opening in the ceiling, indicated at 98, and around a roll |08 suitably journalled in bearing blocks |02, which latter are in turn secured to suspended I beams |04. The cloth then is fed upwardly and over an idler roll |08 and from there downwardly to the Winder. Positioned beneath the roll is a squared shaft |88, rotatably mounted in bearing blocks IH), which provides means by which an upstanding feeler nger |I2 is held in close engagement with the web of cloth as it passes beneath the roll |00. Spaced from the finger ||2 and journalled to the squared shaft |08 is a notched cam disk I|4 which provides an actuating means for the limit switch LI. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that as the continuous web of cloth passes around the roll |00, the detector finger ||2 remains in a substantially fixed position until a seam or sluffed filling will cause the detector finger' to rotate the squared shaft in clockwise position, as seen in Figure 12, and at the same time rotating the cam disk |I4, which in turn causes the actuation of the limit switch LI 5. By circuits to be described below the actuation causes the simultaneous lowering of the empty mandrel into the path of the moving cloth and also energizes a solenoid valve I-I, thus directing a fiow of air to an air cylinder I I 6 and causing the piston rod I1 of the air cylinder to contact a pivoted bar I I8, shown in Figures l0 and 13. The movement of the said bar ||8 against a shaft |20 slides the shaft and initiates the engagement of a clutch |22. One disk |22a of the clutch is journalled to the shaft |20, and the second disk |22b is journalled to a shaft |24 driven through suitable sprocket |26 and chain |28. The shaft |20 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 12. The clutch plate |22a journalled to the shaft |20 is provided with a radially disposed plate or contact member |30, and upon rotation, engages a limit switch L5. Suitable means to be described below are provided for relieving the pressure in cylinder i6 as the revolution is completed and piston rod ||1 will thus be retracted and clutch |22 disengaged by means of a tension spring |32 secured at one end to the bar ||8 and at its opposite end to one of the I- beams |04. Means for resetting the shaft |20 in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in Figure 12, are provided by a sprocket |34 journalled to the shaft |20 and having secured thereto a rearwardly extending chain |36 connected at its opposite end to a motion dampening means |38. This provides a means by which the clutch may be reset for the following operation.

It will be understood from the foregoing that as the seam or sluffed lling on the web of cloth is fed downwardly and under the roll |00, the detector nger 2 will cause the rotation of the squared shaft |08, thus actuating the limit switch L|5. This causes the piston rod of the air cylinder ||6 to cause the clutch |22 to engage. This engagement causes the rotation of the clutch and contact member |30 to engage limit switch L5, and this actuates the cutting mechanism. It will also be understood that the rotation of the clutch |22 through the chain |28 and sprocket |26 constitutes a measuring device whereby the detected seam is allowed to pass from the detector finger ||2 into the machine and to a position directly over the serrated cutting blade 64 and thus be cut at this point. That is, the timing device will be driven in synchronism with the winding drums and therefore a definite relation will exist between the time of operation of the switch L and the distance travelled by the seam.

The forward projection of the serrated cutting blade actuates a limit switch L6 which reverses the flow of air from a solenoid valve and allows the blade to return to its normal position. Simultaneous with this operation, the limit switch L6 actuates the doffing mechanism which will now be more fully described.

Referring primarily to Figure 1, a pair of upright standards |40, welded or otherwise secured to the standards 48 of the Winder, constitute a supporting structure for rotatably securing a transverse shaft |42 which is suitably journalled in bearing blocks |44. A pair of downwardly and forwardly extending arms |46 are spaced inwardly of the bearing blocks |44, as seen in Figure 4. The arms |46 constitute a rotatable hang er assembly for the doffing mechanism 24 and are welded or otherwise secured at their lower ends to an angularly disposed U-shaped frame |48 which comprises a pair of forwardly and rearwardly extending angle irons |50 connected at their extreme ends by a transverse angle iron |52. A pair of semi-open bearing blocks |54 are welded at the forward horizontal web of the angle irons |50, and comprise a suitable bearing surface for the mandrel shafts to rest. A pair of plates |56 secured to the standards 48, extend rearwardly and into engagement with the doffing mechanism 24 to maintain the angularity of the said doffer mechanism.

As viewed in Figures 8 and 9, as the partially wound mandrel of cloth is transferred to the dofng mechanism, generally indicated at 24, it will be seen that as the diametrical proportions of the roll increase, the dofling mechanism will rotate about the shaft |42, thus displacing the hangers and U-shaped frame out of contact with the retaining plates |56. This movement provides for the increasing distances between the center of the bearing block |54 which constitutes a retaining means for the mandrel upon which the cloth is being wound and the peripheral engagement with the drum 32. A pair of angularly disposed retaining brackets |58 are fixed to the horizontal web of the angle irons |50 and provide further bearing surfaces for the mandrel shafts as the roll increases in diameter. An upwardly and rearwardly extending arm |60 is suitably iournalled to the shaft |42 medially of one of the bearing blocks |44, and the outer end of the shaft |42. It is secured at its opposite end to a piston rod |62 of an air cylinder |64 which is pivotally connected to a standard |65. When the piston rod |62 of the air cylinder |64 is retracted the doinng mechanism is raised to the position as shown in Figure 8 and the mandrel will fall away from the bearing blocks |54 and brackets |58.

As viewed in Figure 2, the transverse shaft |42 has journalle-d at one end a cam arrangement |66 for the purpose of actuating a series of limit switches, the function of which will be more fully described below in connection with the electrical circuit.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that as a roll of material has reached the desired proportions, the dofiing mechanism is actuated through the limit switch L6 previously described, and introduces air to the cylinder |64, causing the piston rod to retract and raise the dofling mechanism about the shaft |42 by means of the connecting rod |60. Thus, the roll of cloth slips from the bearing blocks |54 and is positioned on the conveyor generally indicated at 2 0.

A further means for insuring that the free end of the cloth is placed around an empty mandrel is provided by a roller |86 which is rotatably secured to a pair of rearwardly extending arms |88. These arms in turn are pivotally secured at their opposite ends to a transverse shaft |90 which is journalled for rotation in suitable bearings. The roller |86 is lowered into frictional engagement with an empty mandrel by means of an upwardly extending bar |94 (Fig. 5) pivotally joined at its lower end to one end of a connecting bar |95 and at its upper end to a rearwardly extending bracket |96 which is secured by suitable means to the transverse bar 58, whose function it is to raise and lower the retaining sockets 44 and 46. The other end of bar |95 is iixedly attached to shaft |90. Thus it will be apparent that as an empty mandrel is lowered to receive the free end of cloth the roller |86 is simultaneously lowered to the position shown in l Figure 9. When the partially lled mandrel is transferred to the doffing mechanism and the retaining sockets are held in a raised position, the roll |86 is likewise held in a raised position, as shown in Figure 8. A slit |91 in bar |94 permits overtravel of roller |86 and its associated bars |88, and |94. Racks |98 engaging pinions |99 operated by handwheel 200 provide .ranged if the four sheets are joined so that Figure 14A is the upper left-hand sheet, Figure 14B the upper right-hand sheet, Figure 14C the lower left-hand sheet and Figure 14D the lower righthand sheet. The circuit is illustrated at various points by heavy black lines which will indicate trunk lines containing a plurality of conductors. The wiring is shown as such for the purpose of clarity and simplicity. The leads from the various control units are illustrated as being angularly introduced into the above-mentioned trunk lines, the direction in which the leads enter the trunk lines serving to indicate the direction in which the lead is to be traced. Like reference characters for each conductor are provided at entrance and exit points to facilitate tracing individual conductors.

Referring primarily to Figs. 14A-14D, the automatic operation of the winding machine according to the present invention is under the control of a plurality of switches which are designat-ed with the prefix L, some of which are referred to above. Switches Lil-L13 and LIE-LIT are limit switches operated by movements of Various parts of the winding machine and switch L| 4 is a manually operated push button switch. Actual movements of the machine are under control of solenoid operated valves which control the various air cylinders which have been mentioned above.

In Figs. 14A-14D, the solenoid valves controlled by solenoid coils A and C are of a type which will admit air under pressure each to one end of the cylinder 62 only while the respective coil remains energized. The valve controlled by coil C will be arranged to admit air under pressure into the lower or raising end of cylinder 52 and the valve operated by coil A will admit air (preferably under a reduced pressure) to the lowering end of the cylinder. In the case of doiing cylinder |54 the solenoid valve operated lby coil F will admit air under pressure in the dofng direction and the valve operated by coil G will admit air under pressure to the end of the cylinder which returns the doffmg mechanism to its normal position, Each of the valves operated by coils A, C, F, and G will have suitable provision so that when the coils are not energized air trapped within the cylinders 52 and |55 may be exhausted to atmosphere so that 'operation of the valve on the opposite end of the cylinders will permit the pistons to be moved accordingly.

In the case of the valve oper-ated by coil D, while coil D remains energized air will be supplied to the shifting end of cylinder '13. However, provision will be made in the valve operated by coil D (as by a spring return or the like) to cause air to be introduced into the opposite end of cylinder 1B when valve D is not energized. Similarly, in the case of blade cylinder 65, the valve operated by coil E will admit air into the advance end of the cylinder while coil E remains energized but will admit air to the return end of the cylinder when E is not energized. In both of the valves suitable exhaust will be provided for the end of the respective cylinders not under pressure.

The valve operated by coil I-I will `be arranged to admit air und-er pressure into one end of oyl- 10 inder IIS to move the bar |`|8 lof the timing device. However, the spring |32 will return the piston of cylinder |l| 6 to its normal position when H is de-energized and, therefore, this valve need have no provision for introducing air into the opposite end of cylinder I6.

Magnetically actuated contactors Ri through RIB are employed, as will be described below, for providing control circuits to the air valve operating coils through the previously mentioned switches. In addition to the magnetic Icontactors Ri through R|3 the conveyor motor M is controlled through a magnetically actuated motor switch MR. A relatively low potential for energizing the operating coil of switch MR is provided in transformer T1. Also, a relatively low potential may be separately supplied for operating the air valve operating coils through a second transfonm-er T2, and an overload responsive circuit breaker OLI may be provided to protect predetermined circuits connected with the secondary winding of transformer T2.

The location of each of the limit switches L!- Ll'i in relation to lthe apparatus and with regard to the movement of the switch contact arms as viewed in Figure 14 will now be given: Limit switch LI (Figure 9) is mounted by any suitable means so that it will be operated by operating bar 58 when the bar is in its lowermost position whereat an empty mandrel is first placed in contact with the cloth moving over rolls 32 and 32. When bar 5S engages LI the switch contactors move into their lower or closed position, as viewed in Figure 14. L2 (Figure 3) is operated by an upstanding extension 59 on the connecting beam 53 but only when bar 58 is in an upper position when the mandrel held in jaws 44, 46 reaches a predetermined diameter and is ready to be shifted. When engaged by bar '58 switch L2 is moved to its upper or open position, as viewed in Figure 14.

Switch L3 (Figure 8) is operated by the shifting mechanism and is moved to its upper position in Figure 14 when the shifting mechanism is in the shifted position. Switch L4 (Figure 2) is operated by a cam system |53 which rotates when the doiiing shaft |42 is rotated. L4 moves to its upper position in Figure 14C when cloth on the mandrel held in bearing blocks |154 builds up to a diameter where the roll is to be doiTed.

Switch L5 (Figure 13) is operated by the plate |35 in timing device 30. L5 is moved to its upper position in Figure 14C when engaged by plate |30. Switch L6 (Figure 9) is operated by blade 54 when the blade is in its extended or cutting position. L6 moves to its upper position in Figure 14C when the blade is in the cutting position. L1 (Figure 2) is operated by the previously-mentioned cam arrangement on doffing shaft |42. L1 is moved to its upper position in Figure 14 when the doiiing mechanism is in its completely operated position following the dofilng of a roll. Switch L8 (Figure 8) is operated by the shifting mechanism. L8 is in its upper position in Figure 14C when the shifting mechanism is in its unshifted position. L9 (Figure 2) is operated when the doiiing mechanism is in its fully doffed position. L9 moves to its upper position in Figure 14C when operated, the purpose `of this switch being to clear the circuits if the push button L14 is employed to produce a doff of an incomplete roll.

Switch LIU (Figure 2) is operated by the doffing cam arrangement and is moved to the upper position in Figure 14D to close as the roll becomes too large before an automatic dofng op- 

